What Is GreenPan?
GreenPan is a cookware brand known for its innovative nonstick coating. The company is committed to producing healthy and environmentally friendly cookware. According to the manufacturer, the non-stick coating called Thermolon is made without PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium and is safer than the Teflon non-stick coating. This means that GreenPan non-stick ceramic cookware does not release harmful substances into the food or release toxic fumes when exposed to high heat.
GreenPan is also a Cookware Company based in Belgium. Their products are designed in Belgium, while the non-stick coating is made in Korea and the cookware items are assembled in China.
What Is GreenPan Made of?
GreenPan uses a ceramic coating called Thermolon™ to produce its non-stick cookware line. Thermolon ceramic non-stick coating was created in 2007 by using Sol-Gel technology. The coating is made from minerals derived from sand with color pigments. A gel-like mixture is applied on a metal base and thermally cured to obtain a durable non-stick coating.
The inner construction of GreenPan non-stick ceramic cookware is made of 3-ply stainless steel, 5-ply stainless steel, or hard anodized aluminum.
Is Thermolon Safe?
The Thermolon coating represented an improvement over Teflon, particularly in terms of safety. The Thermolon coating is also more durable and less susceptible to damage than older ceramic non-stick coatings. This means that metal bases are less likely to come into contact with food.
Although Thermolon is a step further than traditional Teflon, there are some doubts that it is 100% free of toxins.
Because Thermolon is advertised as “completely free of harmful substances,” it was the subject of a lawsuit against the company GreenPan in 2019. According to the GreenPan class action lawsuit, the patented Thermolon could hide several harmful chemicals used in the coating.
Because there are no studies to support claims about Thermolon’s safety, there is also insufficient evidence to prove that Thermolon coating is 100% free of toxins.
Is GreenPan Dishwasher Safe?
When reading a product description, you may notice that some ceramic non-stick cookware is described as dishwasher safe. However, if you take a look at the instruction manual, hand washing is recommended for a longer duration of the non-stick properties.
Always hand wash nonstick ceramic cookware, regardless of what the product description says. This will not be a difficult task as GreenPan non-stick ceramic cookware is very easy to clean.
Regular Cleaning
Since food does not stick to the cooking surface, GreenPan cookware with a Thermolon non-stick coating is very easy to cook. Warm soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge are quite enough for cleaning. Rinse with water and leave to dry.
Always allow the pan to cool before washing. Submerging a warm pan in cold water can cause the pan to deform.
How to Clean Burnt GreenPan Non-Stick Cookware
Heating oil at high temperatures can cause carbonization and burnt spots.
The melamine sponge is the best tool to remove these burnt spots. Fill the container halfway with water, add some dishwashing liquid, and let the water with the dishwashing liquid boil for two minutes. Then empty the pan and while it is still warm, use melamine sponges to remove the charred residue from the cooking surface.
Do not use abrasive cleaners to remove black spots from the cooking surface as this will damage the non-stick coating.
You can remove stains from the outside of the pan with a paste made from baking soda and water.
To avoid carbonation, use cooking oils with a high smoke point. Never use oil sprays on the cooking surface.
Is GreenPan Ceramic Non-Stick Cookware Oven Safe
The Thermolon coating can withstand oven temperatures up to 600 F, which is more than you need for most cooking tasks. However, the limiting factors can be handles, lids, and knobs. Handles and knobs made of wood or plastic are not suitable for the hot oven and can be damaged at high temperatures. Be sure to check the instruction manuals for each product.
Remember that the non-stick properties of cookware will gradually deteriorate when used at high temperatures. I would not recommend putting GreenPan or other nonstick cookware in the oven. When cooking in the oven, use cast iron, enameled cast iron, or stainless steel cookware.
Is GreenPan Non-Stick Cookware Metal Utensils Safe?
Regardless of the manufacturer’s instructions, you should never use metal utensils on nonstick ceramic-coated cookware. Sharp metal utensils can damage the nonstick coating, especially when the cookware is still hot. Nonstick cookware requires the use of softer cooking utensils such as wood, bamboo, or silicone.
Is GreenPan Worth It?
Although the cookware is new, the non-stick properties are excellent and cleaning is a breeze. However, if you use the pan frequently, you may experience food-sticking problems after a few months. This is not unexpected as a non-stick surface will lose its non-stick properties over time due to repeated use and high temperatures. If you find that your GreenPan has paid for itself over its useful life, you can decide to invest in a new one of the same brand. Alternatively, you can opt for iron cookware, which requires more maintenance, or Enameled cookware is the best choice if safety is your top priority.
Finally, you can try a more expensive pan that may offer a longer-lasting nonstick effect. Unfortunately, no cookware with a lifelong nonstick coating has yet been manufactured.
